Can someone maybe clarify this for me?

December 11, 2006

Ok....so I have read ALMOST all the books and there is no doubt in my mind

that nada is, as far as i know undiagnosed BPD. (I say as far as I know,

because she has selective hearing and would never accept a diagnoses that

suggests that there is ANYTHING wrong with her....psychologically speaking)

I was reading this article today regarding BPD and the article regarding

Signs and symptoms says the following " While a patient with depression or

bipolar disorder typically endures the same mood for weeks, a person with

BPD may experience intense bouts of depression, anxiety or anger that may

last only minutes, hours or at most a day. " WHAT??!?! Ok....so now i am

completely perplexed because my brother who HAS been diagnosed with bipolar

disorder is a rollar coaster ride...he is the one that is up and down hour

to hour, while nada's depression/anxiety/anti-social behavior has not only

lasted more than a day....it's been constant my entire life!! Can anyone

out there help me out here? Am I mis-reading or misunderstanding what I am

reading? Not that it really matters....slap horns on it and call it a bull

for all i care she's a sick pup and my method of cleansing myself from her

madness isn't going to change, but man....my head is spinning now.

Kisses and Nibbles,

Bunny

December 11, 2006

Hey Bunny,

First of all, wierd, because my brother has bipolar disorder too. Possibly

common diagnosis for KO's? Will have to do more research on that and see if it

is common.

Here's my take on the article. First of all, shrinks like to try to wrap

people into neat little diagnostic packages (I know cause I am one), and there

are tons of people out there who are atypical and don't fit the average. Your

brother may be one of those people, but here's what's typical anyway.

When someone has bipolar disorder, they usually have an identifiable cycle, so

you'll be able to notice a period of time when they are clearly depressed and

then another period of time when they are clearly manic. On average for most

adults, it's usually a period of weeks (kids often cycle faster). However,

everyone's cycle is different. Your brother's cycles may just be shorter. Also,

within the ups and downs of the cycle, there are often mood changes,

particularly when someone's manic (like switching very quickly from being on top

of the world to irritated and furious). Even with the quick mood changes, the

person still generally seems manic or depressed for a period of time. Again,

this is typically the case for most people with bipolar disorder, but may not be

for your brother. BPD is different because there doesn't seem to be a

discernible pattern of feelings, or cycle. So there's less rhyme or reason to a

BPD's moods. They just seem to come out of nowhere.

Other possible reasons why your brother may switch moods so quickly: if he

grew up in the same house with your nada, may not have had good role model for

managing emotions so it may not be bipolar but symptoms of having a nada. Also,

if he's taking meds and not taking them consistently, adjusting to new meds or

needs med adjustment. Possibly substance use (not to imply that your brother

uses but it is common with people with bipolar, especially in manic phase, so

just something to think about).

Hope that helps you clear things up a little bit.

Bec

Beach Bunny wrote:

Ok....so I have read ALMOST all the books and there is no doubt in my

mind